Abstract

Background

There is a growing body of evidence indicating that web-based personalized feedback
interventions can reduce the amount of alcohol consumed in problem drinking college
students. This study sought to evaluate whether providing voluntary access to such
an intervention would have an impact on drinking.

Methods

College students responded to an email inviting them to participate in a short drinking
survey. Those meeting criteria for risky drinking (and agreeing to participate in
a follow-up) were randomized to an intervention condition where they were offered
to participate in a web-based personalized feedback intervention or to a control condition
(intervention not offered). Participants were followed-up at six weeks.

Results

A total of 425 participants were randomized to condition and 68% (n = 290) completed
the six-week follow-up. No significant difference in drinking between conditions was
observed.

Conclusions

Web-based personalized feedback interventions that are offered to students on a voluntary
basis may not have a measurable impact on problem drinking.